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Chiropractor: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $43,460lowest 10% earn less
- $60,07025th percentile
- $79,200median
- $105,05075th percentile
- $146,080top 10% earn more
The median chiropractor wage was $79,200 a year in May 2025[1]. The typical entry path is a doctoral or professional degree, and every state requires a license[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +8.7%[6]
- Openings per year
- 2,600[7]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[2]
How much do chiropractors make?
The median wage for chiropractors was $79,200 a year, or $38.08 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was higher, at $90,520 a year, or $43.52 an hour[8].
Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $43,460 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $60,070[4][9]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $105,050, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $146,080[4]. Hourly, those boundaries were $20.90, $28.88, $50.51 and $70.23[10]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[5].
These wages cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and employer costs of benefits[11]. That matters here, because 36.3% of chiropractors were self-employed in 2025[12]. About 39,630 people held chiropractor jobs on the wage and salary basis[13].
Pay by state and city
New Jersey had the highest median wage at $134,990, followed by New York at $120,950 and Maine at $107,300[14]. Utah had the lowest listed median at $53,900[14].
Florida had the most chiropractor jobs at 3,220, then Texas at 2,840, California at 2,760, Illinois at 2,190 and Pennsylvania at 1,770[15].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[16], Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue had the highest median at $105,290, followed by Raleigh-Cary, NC at $104,330 and Oklahoma City at $103,490[16]. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area had the most jobs at 1,470, with a median of $72,440[17]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington was next with 1,110 jobs and a median of $97,580[17].
Show median pay in 48 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey[14] | $134,990 | 1,370 |
| New York | $120,950 | 1,360 |
| Maine | $107,300 | 250 |
| Washington | $104,070 | 1,130 |
| Alaska | $103,500 | 90 |
| Arizona | $100,260 | 1,050 |
| North Carolina | $91,540 | 1,020 |
| Virginia | $88,030 | 900 |
| Texas | $87,520 | 2,840 |
| Oklahoma | $85,580 | 500 |
| Maryland | $85,330 | 390 |
| Florida | $84,280 | 3,220 |
| Tennessee | $83,990 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $83,160 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $83,020 | 1,210 |
| Rhode Island | $81,840 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $81,740 | 470 |
| Oregon | $81,540 | 610 |
| Alabama | $80,990 | 430 |
| Idaho | $80,770 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $80,280 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $79,560 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $79,510 | 1,160 |
| South Carolina | $79,310 | 680 |
| Mississippi | $78,450 | 130 |
| North Dakota | $77,990 | 360 |
| Indiana | $77,790 | 780 |
| Ohio | $77,710 | 1,380 |
| Arkansas | $76,290 | 320 |
| South Dakota | $76,210 | 260 |
| Montana | $76,120 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $75,940 | 780 |
| California | $75,470 | 2,760 |
| Iowa | $75,050 | 970 |
| New Mexico | $75,040 | 140 |
| Nevada | $74,190 | 240 |
| Colorado | $74,040 | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $72,800 | 220 |
| Michigan | $71,220 | 1,270 |
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,230 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $66,650 | 2,190 |
| Nebraska | $66,050 | 500 |
| Missouri | $65,090 | 660 |
| Wyoming | $62,640 | 110 |
| Georgia | $61,660 | 1,500 |
| Kansas | $57,600 | 570 |
| Utah | $53,900 | 490 |
How to become a chiropractor
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience or on-the-job training typically needed[2]. The path looks like this:
- First: complete at least 3 years of undergraduate study[18]. Applicants commonly hold a bachelor's degree, and programs generally expect science coursework such as physics, chemistry and biology[18].
- Next: earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree at an accredited chiropractic school. It usually takes 4 years[19].
- Then: get a state license. Every state requires one, and requirements vary[20].
- Later: keep the license current. All states require continuing education hours[21].
D.C. programs cover subjects such as anatomy and physiology, and students gain supervised clinical experience in diagnosis, spinal assessment and adjustment techniques[22]. Some chiropractors complete postgraduate programs for added training in areas such as orthopedics or pediatrics[23].
At a minimum, every state requires an accredited D.C. program and a passed exam. Some states also require a background check and state-specific law exams[20]. Contact your state's licensing board for exact rules[21].
In an O*NET survey of 18 workers, 82% said a doctoral degree was the level required, 8% said a first professional degree and 7% said a post-secondary certificate[24].
What chiropractors do
Chiropractors assess and treat patients by manipulating the spine and the musculoskeletal system[25]. Typical tasks include:
- Making manual adjustments to the spine and other joints[26].
- Taking and recording patients' medical histories[26].
- Diagnosing problems by questioning and examining patients and reading x-rays[26].
- Advising patients on treatment plans[26].
- Referring patients to other health practitioners when needed[26].
- Giving advice on nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress[26].
- Teaching patients exercises to improve mobility[26].
Workers report job titles such as chiropractic doctor, chiropractic physician and chiropractic neurologist[27].
Where they work
Chiropractors typically work in office settings. The job may involve standing for long periods and lifting or turning patients[28]. Offices of chiropractors were the largest employer at 57%[29].
Most chiropractors work full time, though part-time work is common. Schedules can include evenings or weekends. Self-employed chiropractors may be able to set their own hours[30].
Job outlook
BLS projects chiropractor employment to grow 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 61,700 to 67,000 jobs[6]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[31]. These counts include self-employed workers, so they are larger than the wage survey count[6][13].
About 2,600 openings are projected each year on average[7]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 2.7% of chiropractors leave the labor force and 0.6% move to a different occupation[32].
Is it a good fit?
The facts describe a job with a long training path. A D.C. program takes about 4 years on top of at least 3 years of undergraduate study, and a state license is required[3]. Pay is above the all-occupations median but varies widely, with the top 10% earning more than $146,080[1][5][4]. Over a third of chiropractors were self-employed, so income may depend on running a practice[12]. Growth is projected to run ahead of the all-occupations rate[6][31].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a chiropractor make an hour?
- The median was $38.08 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $43.52[1][8].
- How long does it take to become a chiropractor?
- A D.C. program takes about 4 years, after at least 3 years of undergraduate study[3].
- Do chiropractors need a license?
- Yes. Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed, and requirements vary by state[20].
- Is chiropractor a growing job?
- BLS projects 8.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[6][31].
- What is the highest paying state for chiropractors?
- New Jersey had the highest median at $134,990, then New York at $120,950[14].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Chiropractors in the US was $79,200 per year and $38.08 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Chiropractors: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Chiropractors: 10th percentile $43,460, 25th percentile $60,070, 75th percentile $105,050, 90th percentile $146,080. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Chiropractors is projected to grow 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 61,700 to 67,000 jobs (a change of +5,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 2,600 openings for Chiropractors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Chiropractors was $90,520 per year and $43.52 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Chiropractors: 10th percentile $20.90, 25th percentile $28.88, 75th percentile $50.51, 90th percentile $70.23. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 36.3% of Chiropractors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 39,630 people were employed as Chiropractors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Chiropractors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Chiropractors jobs: Florida 3,220; Texas 2,840; California 2,760; Illinois 2,190; Pennsylvania 1,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Chiropractors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $105,290; Raleigh-Cary, NC $104,330; Oklahoma City, OK $103,490; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $103,090; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $102,110; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $100,410; Jacksonville, FL $99,280; Portland-South Portland, ME $99,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Chiropractors jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,470 (median $72,440); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,110 (median $97,580); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,060 (median $52,000); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 870 (median $79,450); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 830 (median $102,110); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 810 (median $98,630). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 29-1011.00 survey of workers (18 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 82%, First Professional Degree 8%, Post-Secondary Certificate 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Chiropractors. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Chiropractors. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-1011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Chiropractic Doctor (DC), Chiropractic Neurologist, Chiropractic Physician. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of chiropractors in 2025: Offices of chiropractors 57%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Chiropractors: 2.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.